THE MUSIC business may be staggering blindly into the digital era, but musicians just keep doing what they always have – writing great songs that capture our imaginations and fill dance floors. Compared to recent years, this fall stands out as a potential blockbuster season.

Kanye West and 50 Cent – see Hot Seat and page 44 – are just a luscious first course in this fall’s diverse banquet of delectable music. There are sophomore discs from youthful chartbusters Chamillionaire, KT Tunstall and Carrie Underwood. Rockers Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, Eddie Vedder and Matchbox 20 all have new albums. And geezers like Bruce Springsteen, Melissa Etheridge, Barry Manilow and John Fogerty are all offering new work.

Even Britney Spears, Alicia Keys and J.Lo are getting back in the game after a few years off.

Fans were thrilled to hear rumors of new records from Whitney Houston and Gnarls Barkley, but they’ve been pushed to next year. Still, there’ll be plenty of new tunes to download onto your now-massive 160 gigabyte iPod (which holds 40,000 songs). From a field of thousands, here are the hottest 40 albums, in chronological order, coming out this fall.

SEPTEMBER

1.CHAMILLIONAIRE

“Ultimate Victory”

The Houston rapper returns with his second album after conquering the ringtone world. Not only did last year’s “The Sound of Revenge” go platinum and win a Grammy for the single “Ridin’,” but it generated more than 4 million rigntone sales. He even got RIAA certification for it. “Ultimate” boasts cameos from Lil’ Wayne, Krazyie Bone, Pimp C, Famous and Devin the Dude. (Tuesday)

2.KENNY CHESNEY

“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates”

Country superstar Chesney, who’s quietly sold more then 25 million albums with rock-saturated country, is back with his lucky 13th studio record. The grammatically challenged first single, “Never Wanted Nothing More,” has topped the country charts for 5 weeks. Guest twangers include Dwight Yoakam, George Straight and Joe Walsh. (Tuesday)

Sounds like a perfect storm forming: Barry on the mike, singing “The Way We Were,” “My Eyes Adored You” and, as a duet with Rosie O’Donnell, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” He even covers himself with “Mandy” and “Copacabana.” (Sept. 18)

5.KT TUNSTALL

“Drastic Fantastic”

The Scottish singer, whose soulful pop tunes got a big boost from “Grey’s Anatomy” and “American Idol,” follows her platinum debut, “Eye to the Telescope,” with an album on which she plays lead guitar, piano and ukulele. The first single, “Hold On,” takes inspiration from the dance hall rhythms of her London ‘hood. (Sept. 18)

6.EDDIE VEDDER

“Into the Wild”

The Pearl Jam frontman scores movie music for Sean Penn’s upcoming film. Originally a pure instrumental disc, the grunge vocalist couldn’t help himself, and sings on nearly every track of this pretty, string-jam record. (Sept. 18)

7.STEVE EARLE

“Washington Square Serenade”

The controversial folk, rock, outlaw-country artist left Nashville for New York, and this is an ode to his new home. The deluxe edition will include a DVD documentary. (Sept. 25)

8.MELISSA ETHERIDGE

“The Awakening”

A collection of confessional songs dealing with her cancer battle and her life as a mother, “Awakening” is Etheridge’s first album in four years. “The album is my story and my journey, but I hope that it will ring universally,” she says. Umm, OK – we just hope it rocks. (Sept. 25)

9.FOO FIGHTERS

“Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace”

For their sixth album, Dave Grohl and company combine big, arena-rock songs with acoustic ballads for a disc that reflects the Foo’s loud-soft concert tour this year. Grohl, the one-time Nirvana drummer who turned to the guitar when he went Foo, plays piano for this record.

(Sept. 25)

10.JOSÉ GONZALEZ

“In Our Nature”

The Swedish singer drew a cult following when his song got hitched to a fab Sony Bravia spot featuring a 250,000 brilliantly colored superballs spinning through San Francisco. That helped his debut, “Veneer,” go on to sell 700,000 copies worldwide, which isn’t so cult-y after all. (Sept. 25)

11.PJ HARVEY

“White Chalk”

Polly Jean Harvey, poster child for alt-rock chicks, wrote her eighth disc on the piano. Check the first single, the ballad “When Under Ether.” She performs at the Beacon on Oct. 10. (Sept. 25)

12.IRON AND WINE

“The Shepherd’s Dog”

Sam Beam’s cover of the Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” on the “Garden State” soundtrack brought his one-man band to the attention of the national indie scene. Now he expands his hushed folk sound, lending “Lovesong of the Buzzard” soul organs, slide guitars and upbeat rhythms, and layering “House by the Sea” with positively psychedelic guitars. (Sept. 25)

The roster of classic-rock royalty contributing covers of Fats’ best known songs is nearly as incredible as the man himself. The double disc features Elton John (“Blueberry Hill”), Neil Young (Walkin’ to New Orleans”), and Willie Nelson (“I Hear You Knockin'”), among others. There’s even John Lennon’s take on Domino’s most popular song, “Ain’t That a Shame.” (Sept. 25)

15.will.i.am

“Songs About Girls”

He calls this a semi-autobiographical, hip-hop concept album “where all the songs tell stories of falling in love, falling out of love and trying to get back in love.” The Black Eyed Pea mastermind has truly gone solo – the only guest artist is Snoop Dogg, who’s featured on “The Donque Song.” (Sept. 25)

OCTOBER

16.JOHN FOGERTY

“Revival”

After retrospectives and a couple of years on the road, Fogerty is back with a studio album that’s a return to Credence-style swamp rock. “Revival,” get it? No foolin’, it really does have the classic CCR sound and there’s even a tune titled “Creedence Song.” (Oct. 2)

17.BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND

“Magic”

For Springsteen’s 15th studio album, and the first E Street disc since 2002’s “The Rising,” the Jersey boys make no radical moves – at least not if the single “Radio Nowhere” is a barometer. (Oct. 2)

18. MATCHBOX 20

“Exile on Mainstream”

After a five-year hiatus, MB20 goes for what singer Rob Thomas says is a “live feel.” This is officially a “best of” album, but there are six new tunes written by the whole band, not just Thomas. (Oct. 2)

19. ALTERBRIDGE

“Blackbird”

The Scott Stapp-less Creed, better known as Alterbridge, is back with a 13-track sophomore disc of straight-ahead rockers. Listen for the power ballad “Watch Over You” to break through. If some songs are already familiar, it’s because “Rise Today” has been enlisted by “CSI: Miami” and “White Knuckle” is an NFL theme tune on ESPN. (Oct. 9)

20.KID ROCK

“Rock and Roll Jesus”

Still cocky on the autobiographical title track, Kid offers more Southern and classic-rock riffs. On “All Summer Long,” he cross-pollinates “Werewolves of London” with “Sweet Home Alabama.” Unfortunately, with the exception of the tune “Sugar,” he seems to have abandoned rap ‘n’ roll. (Oct. 9)

21.EVE

“Here I Am”

After a four-year break, the Philadelphia rapper, actress and fashion designer released her first single, “Tambourine,” in April. She wants to cross over to the Top 40 with her fourth solo album – on two songs she even sings rather than raps. She might just blow ya mind. (Oct. 16)

22. JENNIFER LOPEZ

“Brave”

After her first (and maybe last) Spanish-language album tanked earlier this year, J.Lo makes a quick recovery. Her sixth studio album is fast-paced pop with a hip-hop edge, produced by Middi Mafia and Bloodshy. The first single, “Do It Well” is already all over radio.

(Oct. 9)

23.JIMMY EAT WORLD

“Chase This Light”

The standard bearers of the emo scene stick to what works for them: being simultaneously mopey and uplifting. Singer Jim Atkins offers nostalgic lyrics tied to swelling, sing-along choruses. (Oct. 16)

24.ANGELS & AIRWAVES

“I-Empire”

Singer and guitarist Tom DeLonge continues his quest to put distance between himself and former band, blink-182. The second disc by his artsy supergroup blends synth-rock, punk, arena anthems and light drum-and-bass. (Oct. 23)

25.ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUS

“Rising Sand”

An ethereal, dreamy album that has four breakout rockers that are fantastic. This odd-couple pairing is worth a listen, but you won’t want to pound “Sand” every day.

26. CARRIE UNDERWOOD

“Carnival Ride”

The 2005 American Idol champ’s second disc continues down traditional country roads with a couple of nice ballads that have major Faith Hill influences.

(Oct. 23)

27.BABYSHAMBLES

“Shotter’s Nation

Who would think that Peter Doherty’s druggy antics could be topped. Thank Amy Winehouse for that. “This time around we hit the nail on the head, whereas with ‘Down in Albion’ there were lots of nails flying all over the place,” Doherty says. “This time I was able to sing, and self-control was a bit more exercised all together.” Maybe he has grown up. (Oct. 23)

28.AVENGED SEVENFOLD

self-titled

Having polarized the new metal scene, the Huntington Beach bad boys are back with a self-produced album. As with 2005’s “City of Evil,” the quintet strays further from their screaming metalcore origins. But A7X’s hasn’t gone soft. There’s more than enough of their signature blistering guitar solos and riffs, matched with aggressive drumbeats, to go around. (Oct. 30)

29.DURAN DURAN

“Red Carpet Massacre”

The ’80s pop kings update their sound with a help from friends such as Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and Nate Hills, who were hungry like wolves to work with Simon LeBon. (Oct. 30)

NOVEBMBER

30.ALICIA KEYS

“As I Am”

Keys says her third album is “Aretha Franklin doing a Janis Joplin song.” John Mayer helps the lady get her rock while Keys gives her shiny new harpsichord a workout. (Nov. 6)

31.CELINE DION

“Taking Chances”

The French-Canadian pop singer took a break in 2002 to perform 600 shows in Vegas. She recorded an album in French in 2005, but her heart and new album goes on in English. (Nov. 13)

32.NELLY

“Brass Knuckles”

The St. Louis rapper is back with his first disc in three years. The single “Wadsyaname?” recalls “Hot In Herre'” and he’s got plenty of guest stars, including Chuck D., Akon, T.I. and Snoop. (Nov. 13)

33.SEAL

“System”

Heidi Klum’s hubby says his first new work since 2003 is about roots: “I wanted to go back to the guitar, to the instrument I wrote ‘Crazy’ and ‘Killer’ on, and get back to the fundamentals of what I really love to do.” (Nov. 13)

34.SHAGGY

“Intoxication”

From Kingston to Flatbush, reggae fans will love Shaggy’s boombastic vocals on the propulsive title track. Highlights include a duet with Akon on “What’s Love?” (Nov. 13)

Spears says her record “is about feeling good and celebrating womanhood” and not about problems in her personal life. T-Pain produced three of the new songs and Annie Lennox wrote “Everybody.” which heavily samples the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” (Nov. 13)

36.WU-TANG CLAN

“The 8 Diagrams”

In their 15th year, Staten Island’s finest release their first album in six years. New rhymes from Redman and the RZA will be joined by ODB vocals recorded for the group’s first album. Collaborators include: Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante and George Harrison’s son Dhani. (Nov. 13)

37. MARY J. BLIGE

Title TBA

It’s shaping up to be a day of R&B drama as Blige and Mariah Carey duke it out Kanye-Fitty style as the Grammy-winning, Bronx-born hip-hop diva releases her eighth studio album.

(Nov. 20)

38.MARIAH CAREY

Title TBA

Comeback classic “The Emancipation of Mimi” sold nearly 6 million copies, so how will she top it? With co-production help from Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox and will.i.am, she may find a way. (Nov. 20)

39.JORDIN SPARKS

Title TBA

Last week the youngest-ever “Idol” champ released “Tattoo,” the debut single from her upcoming album. The Arizona teen’s in the studio working with production duo Stargate, who has crafted hits for Beyoncé and Ne-Yo. (Nov. 20)

DECEMBER

40. MISSY ELLIOTT

“The Countdown”

Missy works it with Nate “Danjahands” Hill and Timbaland on her seventh album. It’s only a working title, so don’t be surprised if it’s just a working release date. You’ll get a preview in an upcoming Doritos campaign that stars Elliott in the studio. (Dec. 20)